Where Can You Get Mosquitoes in Ireland?
WouterFortunately, there is no serious danger to health from mosquitoes in Ireland. There are a number of species which are native to Ireland but don’t infect humans. But as climate change increases the risk of invasive arthropods, there is a need to control their populations.
In Ireland, there are more than 50 different types of mosquito, many of which are endemic. The Asian Tiger mosquito is a subtropical mosquito which has spread west and north in Europe. Its black and white stripes distinguish it from normal vectors and make it well suited to the temperate climate of Ireland.
In early autumn, the Culex pipiens can be seen over water. It also carries the West Nile virus. The Aedes aegypti mosquito carries the dengue virus. Lastly, the Oriental Cockroach is the most common in Ireland.
These flies aren’t venomous but they can leave small marks on skin that can be painful. In Ireland, spider bites are rare but they can cause redness, swelling and pain. If you get bitten by a spider, seek medical help right away.
A new database has been set up in Ireland, containing information on all the known species. It is being used to help the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control prepare for vector-borne diseases. The database will be shared at a European level.
The Asian tiger mosquito, which is native to Asia, is spreading across Europe and is suspected of being responsible for the Chikungunya outbreak in Ravenna, Italy in 2007. It is considered to be a disease carrier.
